Atlas Shrugged Theme of Fear

It's fitting that the first lines of Atlas Shrugged are ones of fear, given that the novel depicts a dystopian world and an impending apocalyptic collapse of society. Things like that do tend to inspire a little fear. What people fear in the novel (perhaps even more than what they love) tells us a lot about their characters and the book's overall philosophy.

There are two opposite fears here: the fear of change and the fear of standing still. While James begs for stability and panics at the idea of uncontrolled change, Dagny panics when her train stops moving, and is horrified to see the world grinding to a halt. Both fears are actually two sides of the same coin; they each see world destruction as the end result of their respective fears.

Fear is a universal constant in a world going to pieces, but it is also a character barometer. People in this book are defined by how they handle fear, how they define fear, and how they conquer fear or let it consume them.

Questions About Fear

Eddie is at the center of two of the book's most frightening episodes: the ominous beginning and the collapse of society. What is Eddie's role in these episodes? How is he tied to themes of dread and fear?

Dagny often pushes her emotions aside, especially her fear. Is this a good attitude or a harmful one? Does it make her strong or weak?

Is John Galt ever afraid? What is his attitude toward fear?

What exactly do the looters fear in this book?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

James Taggart is the character most defined by fear in the book, although his fears are the least well defined.